How is somebody supposed to know one from another?
Every living creature is completely unique, so there are no two alike. Yet, there are similarities of each within all species. Every horse is different, but comparable in general characteristics. The dilemma arises in knowing exactly which is which, and individual identification becomes necessary.
Branding has long been a method to distinguish a horse’s ownership, and those with large herds have started using additional brand-numbers for individual detection. Others have put neck markers on their horses. A tattoo inside a horse’s lip is the method of identifying race and specific competition horses.
Cattle are branded too, and sometimes with individual numbers. Horn brands were common several decades ago to mark horned bovine and are still seen occasionally. Ear tattoos have long been a requirement on registered breeding stock, and various forms of neck chains used to be prevalent. Plastic ear tags are widely common these days.
We were never smart enough to figure it out, but a universal ear-notching system has long been used for hogs. Plastic ear tags are now often seen in hogs, too. Likewise, tattoos are still occasionally used by the swine industry. We’re not too up on the other species though surely most every other genus has a form of identification, as well.
A chain around the neck with a tag on it, typically called a “dog tag,” too, is used within the military. Identification bracelets are still worn by many, although usually as jewelry. Of course, human tattoos readily distinguish one from another.
It’s way above our thinking, but DNA samples are the sophisticated method to identify all individuals, whether it be horse, cow or human being. Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms, every one different from another.
A number of years ago, we heard about Identification Chip Implants for horses, so stolen or lost individuals could be returned to their owners. This was done by implanting a small capsule under the skin, and then a scanner reveals a number on the chip.
Now, more highly developed systems are being implanted in human beings. These identify each individual by a serial number and can also determine location, body chemistry and other things.
There have been horror stories circulating for some time about increased public knowledge of personal individualities. Could this all be the forerunner, perhaps sooner than later, of the warning issued in Revelations 13:16-18:
“He forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone knows, let him calculate the beast’s number, for it is man’s number.”
Thus, we keep our trust in the promise of Jeremiah 33:3: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
+++ALLELUIA+++